Usually, i'm not attracted to the games, but the assets behind them. NFTs, tokens, Lands — if they can be put into production, they become interesting. I entered Splinterlands primarily for the SPS, for the external markets and liquidity opportunities. I would enter daily just to check what was sold and claim some rewards. The game itself? I almost completely ignored it.
That is, until i came across something i had not seen: Campaign Mode. "Book 1 – Waur Medge Academy" initially seemed like a tutorial, but something made me click. And i did not regret it. It is an experience built as an interactive story, with short, explanatory chapters, and battles that actually make sense — without forcing me to have all the cards on the market. I even get glint and cards along the way (even though, yes, they're not tradable yet).
I didn't suddenly become a hardcore gamer. I still mainly enter for my portfolio: SPS is a currency i treat seriously. But now, in parallel, I'm following the campaign. I want to see what comes next. I want to know when Book 2 comes out. Maybe I won't become a legendary Battle Mage, but i'm starting to understand why some people play with such passion.
Splinterlands is, for me, an ecosystem. And if the gameplay manages to attract me without me looking for it, it means they did something right. Book 1 hooked me, without NFTs to trade and without liquid tokens. I'm waiting for the sequel. And in the meantime, I'll check for a sale.
Until now, i've been treating the game like a repetitive puzzle, but Campaign Mode is the story that seems to connect the pieces. It's like an academy where you learn, you make mistakes, but you learn by playing. And if Waur Medge is just the beginning... then Splinterlands is only now starting to show its true face.